A new startup called Germ is set to enhance communication on the Bluesky social network. They’ve developed a secure, end-to-end encrypted messaging service that aims to protect user privacy better than the platform’s existing direct messages. After two years of hard work, Germ is launching its beta version this week, slowly inviting testers to join before the full release.
Germ isn’t just another messaging app. It offers a fresh alternative to popular encrypted platforms like iMessage and Signal. Their technology includes Messaging Layer Security (MLS), a protocol approved by the Internet Engineering Task Force, and the AT Protocol that powers Bluesky.
Instead of linking accounts to phone numbers, Germ’s unique design allows users to chat securely within Bluesky and other ATProto apps. You can manage who can message you, giving you control over your interactions.
The brains behind Germ include Tessa Brown, a communication expert who previously taught at Stanford, and Mark Xue, an ex-Apple privacy engineer. Brown emphasizes that trust in private conversations is essential for healthy social networks. “You can’t build a good relationship if you feel like you’re being watched all the time,” she notes.
On the tech side, Germ uses a “magic link” in users’ Bluesky bios that helps connect friends seamlessly. When another user clicks this link, they can chat immediately without needing to download a separate app! This clever use of Apple’s App Clips technology makes the process quick and easy.
This startup’s culture is very much about community. With a growing audience that includes political figures like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, Germ sees potential for its secure messaging to become a standard within Bluesky.
While currently free, Germ might introduce premium features in the future, like advanced AI tools and personalization options.
Overall, Germ is not only revolutionizing how we communicate safely but also looking to shape the culture of social media as we know it. As privacy becomes increasingly important, Germ’s innovations could well set the standard for how we engage online.
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